Dear Pastor Kingsley Okonkwo,
Calvary greetings.
Act 15:19 KJV "Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:"
The above Is a line by Apostle James when Paul and Barnabas brought a complaint to them about how certain of the Pharisees insisted that circumcision was a necessity for salvation.
You see, if you read the whole of chapter 15, you will understand clearly that Paul was not in support of that school of thought as it is also visibly spread across his subsequent epistles. This was why they took the matter to the council in Jerusalem.
Now, Peter and James spoke clearly concerning the matter and how it was not proper to burden New converts of the Greek extraction, with such frivolities as physical circumcision.
After this, Paul went back and continued his work of the ministry. But then, just as verse 16 opened, you see something remarkable and somewhat contrasting happen.
Paul, on his missionary journey, came to Derbe and Lystra, and he will meet a young lad who was on fire for God and would want to work with him.
This young lad was Timothy. Paul, as described in the chapter, would carry Timothy and physically circumcise him for the public to see.
Why did he do it? Was it not the same Paul that travelled all the way to Jerusalem to put this matter to rest? Well: Act 16:3 KJV “Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.”
"BECAUSE OF THE JEWS"
Paul knew already how insignificant circumcision or not, was to the Faith, but to avoid strive and contention from those that don’t, and to save Timothy from public backlash, he had to do the physical circumcision.
Paul showed us that a new convert, Church goer, and baby Christians were different from Christian leaders. His argument was for Greek new converts, but Timothy would be head of an assembly.
Would Timothy have done ministry perfectly regardless? Yes. But he might never had influenced nor converted many of the Pharisees because they would fight him, mock him at any chance they get, and even forbid people from attending Timothy’s church.
So to avoid all these, Paul went with the cultural demand of the people since it was not sinful anyway.
Paul would later say:
1Co 10:23 KJV All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
That it is permissible, is it expedient? Does it edify?
The braids look good on you as a brother, and God loves you the same. But does it edify? Is it important? Do you enjoy that it is causing arguments? How about the tattoo?
The ripped Jean looks good on you with the nose piercings and tongue piercing. Does God love you? Yes! But is it causing arguments, or is it glorifying God?
I go with the wisdom of Paul on this.
Let’s not suffer the new converts, but leaders should set their hearts only on things that edify and glorify the Church.
Your brother
Raymond.
While my religious brothers and sisters were busy judging over tatoo they didn’t notice that the gospel (John 3:16) was preached to millions in 24hrs by almost all blogs.
Anyway we will share in details on Monday night, for now please come to my praise party/thanksgiving service this sunday on mainland & island.
There will be food, fun and praise.
Triste, frustrado e desiludido.
Este grupo de jogadores fez com que as minhas expectativas fossem altas, não só pela qualidade, mas também pelo facto do incrível grupo que criámos ao longo destes anos.
Obrigado a todos os jogadores, equipa técnica e a todo o staff que nos acompanhou e ajudou todos os dias durante o mundial.
A todos os portugueses um muito obrigado pelo vosso apoio e crença.
🚨 EXCL: Bruno Guimaraes informs Newcastle United of wish to leave & join Arsenal. #AFC stepping up pursuit - ready to offer deal worth up to £60m at present but no club-to-club contact yet + #NUFC stance still not entertaining bids for 28yo @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/6W3cpcqKKh
@Adikastakes Because they hate to put in the efforts for Ronaldo.
They know if they win, it will be about Ronaldo and giving him a deserved farewell.
They are playing like c*nts on purpose